You Are Stronger Than You Think by Joel Osteen

If you are feeling overwhelmed, this book is for you. It is full of encouragement. The title says it all. “You'll never know how strong you really are,” Osteen writes, “until you face pressure that you've never faced.” (109/3059) He uses lots of Scripture promises, examples from the Bible (such as Gideon), examples from his own life and the lives of others to support his case.

Osteen is adamant. God has designed you with the inner strength you'll need for this time. Like buildings designed to withstand the pressure of earthquakes in California or hurricane force winds in Florida, God has designed your infrastructure for this difficulty.

Lest it seem Osteen is overly optimistic, he is realistic too. He reminds us sometimes God may take away something or someone we think we can't live without. God wants us to totally rely on Him. God doesn't stop every difficulty. He allows challenges to move us, to grow us. We may feel like we are in the furnace but God promises to be right there with us.

Osteen calls us to have faith, even when it seems the darkest. This book is encouraging with the message that God is working. We must have faith in God. “Nothing you face is beyond what you've been designed for.” (1363/3059) Should a reader not know Jesus as Savior, an opportunity is given to do so at the end of the book.

You can watch Osteen preach the message here.

My rating: 4/5 stars.

Joel Osteen is a New York Times bestselling author and the senior pastor of America's largest church, Lakewood Church in Houston, Texas. Millions watch his weekly inspirational messages and connect with him through his digital platforms worldwide. He can be heard on SiriusXM 128 – Joel Osteen Radio. You can find out more at https://www.joelosteen.com/. 

FaithWords, 240 pages.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.

(My star ratings: 5-I love it, 4-I like it, 3-It's OK, 2-I don't like it, 1-I hate it.)